PETITION: SAVE THE RENAISSANCE BALLROOM

(lower photo)The first African-American basketball team had their home court at the Renaissance Ballroom during the decades the sport was segregated from the 1920s to just before 1950.  Every Jazz legend of the Renaissance years would also perform at the venue which was the center of uptown society in the early half of the 20th century.

A Change.org campaign has been started to save the Renaissance Ballroom at 138th Street and 7th Avenue from demolition.  As we mentioned in the past, the historic site which was one of the only significant social venues during the Harlem Renaissance that was actually built by African-Americans had been prevented from landmark status because the church that owned the building thought more developers would come along if limitations were not set to the site. One eventually materialized recently and now plans to demolish everything for a new residential construction has been revealed.

Over 2,539 signatures have been added on to the petition but thousands will probably be needed to get the message across.  Those interested can quickly add their name to the roster and read more about the history of The Renny here: LINK